Introduction
Cathal Crowe (born 1 October 1982) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Clare constituency since the 2020 general election.
In 2019, as the Mayor of County Clare, he gained attention as the first politician to decide to boycott the government's commemoration of the Royal Irish Constabulary.He was a member of Clare County Council for the Shannon electoral area from 2004 to 2020.
Political career
Crowe was first elected to Clare County Council in 2004 at 21 years of age, making him the youngest councillor in Ireland. Reflecting on this in a 2019 interview, Crowe said “I was very green when first elected.I didn’t own a suit at the time, was finishing exams at UL and drove around on a scooter. With my first pay cheque from the Council I bought a PlayStation 2. For all the experience I lacked, I had huge hunger and desire to make things better for my community and the Council”.
Crowe went on to successfully contest three more elections to Clare County Council in 2009, 2014 and 2019, twice topping the poll by receiving the most first preference votes.
Personal life
Crowe is the son of Michael, a retired fire fighter and Irene, a retired nurse.In 2013 he married Maeve Fehilly from Charleville and they have three children.
Prior to being elected as a TD, Crowe was a teacher in Parteen National School.